Flexible pipe joint



1,690,839 E. N. ROTH FLEXIBLE PIPE JOINT Filed Feb. 23, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mill y [dz/am 11/ 50b? ////////wwmnu 6M Nov. 6, 1928.

E. N. ROTH FLEXIBLE PIPE JOINT 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 25, 1926 131102155; Faz/ara 11 1 012 gs @M m it OTTLB l IIEK Nov. 6, 1928. E. N. ROTH .FLEXIBLE PIPE JOINT fnfie ta ,idz/ard 11 1705 '3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 23; 1926 Patented Nov. 6, 1928.

UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD N. ROTH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ROTH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 01 CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or rumors.

I'LElILBLE PIPE JOINT.

Application filed February 23, 1826. Serial No. 89,984.

This invention relates to a flexible pipe joint, particularly adapted for use in the metallic conduit which connects the train pipes on adjacent cars of a railway train. The in- 5 vention will be described coupling or connection between the steam train pi es of the railway train, the improved flexible oint having special utility in this connection. It should be understood, however,

that the new pipe joint may be employed in other flexible metallic conduits, wherever an efiectively sealed joint permitting universal swinging movement is desired.

j The primary object of the invention is to 5 provide a universe ipe joint, more partlcularly of the ball-an -socket type, whichv will be flexible under high internal pressures, which will be furnished with eifective sealing means between the articulated members of the joint, and which includes means for articulat- 1n the members of the joint, one within the ot er, such means being preferably positioned within said members. This latter feature is advantageous because by positioning the articulation of the joint within the conduit members,.s aid means is protected from injury, and the outside diameter of the joint is reduced to a minimum, and praents no undesirable projections or irregularities.

above type, in which the gasket or sealing means is positioned between the outeror open end of the socket member and the outer surface of the ball member, that is the surface nearest theouter pipe connection. .This permits the inner half of the ball member being cut away, that is the ball is substantially hemispherical, whereby the free space within the joint is increased, and the over-all length 40 on the joint may be decreased.

ket for use in a joint of the above described type, which is held in effective engagement with the ball member by the fluid pressure within the pipe joint. Several modifications of this asket are hereinafter disclosed. 1 Anot er object is to provide an efi'ective Another object is to provide a form of gasmeans for mounting and supporting this gas ket or-sealing means at the open end of the socket member, whereby it may be removed and replaced without disconnecting the other members of the pipe joint.

as applied to the Another object is to provide a joint of the to provide improved means for supporting the asket or sealing means and holding same yie dably in engagement with the ball member.

Another object is to provide means for bold- Another object is 1 ing the ball member centered within the socket member, so as to relieve the asket or sealing means of the weight of the bail member, with- 60 out interfering with the universal movement of the ball within the socket.

Another object is to provide a joint of this type in which the 'interiorl positioned articulating means is simple and compact, and presents only a small obstructing surface to the flow of fluid through the joint.

Another object is to provide a joint of this type which may be easily and quickly assembled or disassembled whereby one or more of the, parts may be replaced or repaired.

Another object is to provide a joint of this type, comprising a few simple parts, which may be economically made and are easily assembled.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of certain approved forms of the apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal central section through one of the assembled flexible pipe oints.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken substan' tially on the line 2 20f Fig. 1. 86

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line -33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the articulating means.

Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section, sim- 90 ilar to Fig. 1, through a modified form of joint. I

7 Figs'. 6 to 17 inclusive are detailed views of different modifications of'the gasket or seal ing means, for sealing the joint between the the body member 1, which is preferably a usual ball, the outer hemispherical surface 8 cylindrical recesses 11 in the In s .10,

being centrally connected with the conduit member-'2. The outer spherical surface 8 of the ball member is of somewhat less diameter than the inner cylindrical surface 5 of the socket member 1, so that there will neverbe any engagement between these surfaces. However, a series of spaced lugs, 9 arep'rovided about the free edge of the hemispherical head 7 for engaging slidably with the inner surface 5 of the socket member, to hold the ball member centered within the socket member, and support its weight when the members are extended horizontally. This is to prevent the weight of the ball member resting upon the gas at or sealing means, hereinafter described, whereby the gasket would be distorted, and lose its eflectiveness.

Articulatin means are provided to hold the ball mem er against withdrawal from the socket member, but permit its universal movement therein. A pair of diametrically disposedlugs 10 extend inwardly in the conduit member 1, at the rear end of the socket portion 4. Each of these lugs 10 is notched or recessed as at 11, the open sides of the recesses extending toward the outlet end 12 of the conduit 1. A pair of similar lugs 13, recessed at 14, are diametrically disposed at the large open end of the hemispherical head 7. The open sides of the recesses 14 face toward. the open outlet end 15 of the conduit member 2. A transverse link 15 has cylindrical ends 15 adapted to engage freely and rest in the semi second transverse link member 17 as cylindrical ends 18 adapted to enga e in the semicylindrical recesses 14; in the ugs 13. The articulating bolt 19 is swiveled in a central opening 20 in the link 15, the bolt having an enlarged head 21 engaging against the outer face of the link. The other end of the bolt 19 is formed with a loop 22 which extends through a transverse hole or opening 23 in the link 17. When in operating pos tion, the rounded engaging surfaces of the loop 22 and link 17 will have a rocking engagement at 24 at substantially the center of the ball member 7. It will be noted that the ball member 7 and the link 17 can swing together as a unit, in one direction, about the center 24 on loop 22, and that the ball member 7 can swing in the opposite transverse direction about the cylindrical ends 18 of the'link 17. The combination of these two pivotal movements will ermit universal swinging movement of the all member 7 within the socket 4. At the same time, the articulating means comprising the two links 15 and 17 and the bolt 19, will resist the fluid pressure within the pipe joint, and the weight of the parts, and prevent the withdrawal of the ball member from the socket member. The swiveled connection between the bolt 19 and the link 15 will permit rota tion of the ballmember within the socket member about the longitudinal axisof the joint. A compression spring 25, confined between the inner end of the socket 4 and the inner end of the ball or head 7, keeps the articulating means distended, and the parts in proper operative position when fluid pressure is absent from the pipe joint. In the form shown in Fig. 1, this spring is of volute or spiral form,.with its larger end engaging in the end of the cylindrical recess 5. This serves to hold the spring in centered position. This type of spring also has the advantage of permitting greater compression when the articulating means is bein assembled, as hereinafter described, an thus permits shortening the overall length of the pipe joint.

The bolt 19 and the two links 15 and 17,

which three members comprise the articulating connection, are in the form shown, so that althou h freely interlocked with one another, they i orm substantiall a single unit when assembling or disassem ling the joint.

A gasket member 27, of suitable composition material, has an outer laterally extending flange 28, and an inwardly extending flange 29, terminating in an enlarged head portion having a curved surface 30 adapted to engage the outer spherical surface 8 of the ball memher 7 An annular metallic reenforcing ring 31 has two flange portions extendin at substantially right angles to one another, and

adapted to fit against the outer surfaces of and support the respective flanges 28 and 29 of the annular gasket 27. A clamping rin 32 is interiorly gage the outer surface of the end 6 of socket member 4, the clam ing ring 32 having an inwardly extending ange 34 adapted to clamp the outwardly extending flanges of the gasket ,and reinforcing ring against the open end of preferably cast together threaded at 33 to detacha ly en- Y the ball member, its only function being 11 in the'lugs 10. The spring 25 and head 7 of member2 are then successively positioned within the socket 4. It will be noted that the ball suppo'rtinglink17ma'y tiltfreelyabouttheloo 22 of the bolt 19, so that the ends 18 of the lin me be successively passed through the open end 36 of the ball member '7. The ball member 7 is now pushed further into the socket 4, compressing the spring 25, and rotated until the lugs 13 are in line with the arms 18 of the link 17, and when the member 2 is released the expansion of sprin 25 will cause thearms 18 to engage and be held within the recesses 14 in the lugs 13. The pro er engagement of these parts may be assiste with the aid of a suitable pair of pliers or other tool inserted through the o n outer end of the conduit member 2. e gasket 27 and reinforcing ring 31 are now positioned within the open end of the socket member, with the annular head 29 of the gasket in engagement with the spherical surface 8 of the ball member, and t e gasket and ring are clamped in position by screwing the clamping ring 32 onto the end of socket member 4. When the flexible joint is in service, the steam or otherfiuid under pressure within the joint, will pass between the lugs 9, and the ball and socket 1 5 m1- bers, into the space 35 and press the gasket member tightly against the spherical surface fl of the ball to insure a fluid tight joint between the ball and socket members. The articulating connection resists all longitudinal forces tending to expel the ball member from the socket, and the In 9 tend to support the ball laterally within this socket, so that the gasket 29 need never serve as a support in any Way for serve as a sealing means between the ball and socket members. In this way it will be efle'c 'tive-and durable and will need little attention. When the gasket becomes worn or otherwise inefl'ective, it may be renewed or replaced by simply removing the clamping ring 32, there being no need of disassembling the other por-. b

tions of the flexible joint. When the articulating meansbecomes worn, it may be easily removed and replaced by another articulating unit by a reversal of the operations for assembling the joint, as hereinabove described.

The modified form of flexible joint shown in ig. 5, is in many respects the same as the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and hereinabove described, and only the distinguishing features will be referred to. In this modification, an ordinary helical compression spring 37 is used, this spring being held in central position and out of engagement with the inner cylindrical surface 5 of socket 4., by means of an inwardly extending annular flange 38 on the socket member, and a similar annular flange 39 projecting from the end of ball member 7. The conduit member 1 is here shown as formed with a larger outer end 40 provided with interior female threads 41, for

- tween the adjacent connecting with the adjacent pipe member.

flange 44 which takes the place of the reinforcing ring 31, previously described, in supporting the inner flange of the gasket. Ob-

viousl any one ormore of the modified features s own in Fig. '5 could be used in connec tion with the other features first descr-ibed in connectionwith Figs. 1 to 4. I

' In Fi 6 to 17 inclusive are illustrated a few of t e numerous modifications that may be resorted to in the form of the gasket and its supporting members. In Fig.- 6 the asket is secured to the socket ring 32 in substantially the same manner as in Fig. 1. The'inner flan e 45-of this gasket, and the inner flange 46 0 the reinforcing ring, extend diagonally inward toward the ball member, so that space is rovided for an en lar ed curved pocket 47 tween the gasket an the socket member to insure an effective uidpressure behind the gasket for holding glirlalhead 48 of the In the modification shown in Fig. 7, the enlarged pocket 47 is omitted, but the remaining features are much the same as in Fi 6. This permits the formation of a thicker and stronger head 49 on the gasket, a narrow angasket firmly against the.

transverse link 15 ma .be

member '4 by c amping nular space 50 remaining between the gasket and the socket member for receiving the fluid under pressure.

. In Fig. 8 the outwardly extending lateral flange of the gasket is omitted, and the gasket is formed of an annular U-shape with an inner flange 51 extending into engagement with the all, and an outer flange 52 engaging against the inner surface 5 of the socket 4.

tively.

In Fig. 9 the gasket 55 is made solid and of The gasket is supported between the inner flange 53 of.

a size suificient to entirely fill the space beportions of the ball and socket members. In this form the pressure of the fluid against the up er annular face 56 of the gasket is depended upon to expand the gasket against the ball member.

In Fig. 10 the ring 58 are much the same as shown in Fig. 6, with the exception that the outwardly ex tending flange of each is omitted, and the gasket 57, and reinforcing members are simply held in place within the socket by being supported upon the 11p 59 of the clamping ring 32.

In Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive additional means is provided to assist the fluid pressurein holding the gasket snugly against the ball member. In Fig. 11 a' split metallic ring 60 s embedded in an annular groove 61 in the outer face of the gasket for holding the gasket yieldably against the ball 7 The gasket and its supporting devices, as shown 1n Fig. 1 1, are substantially the same as those shown in Fig. 6, but obviously this auxiliary ring 6 0 might be used in connection with ot er modifled forms of the gasket, and the same is true of the other spring-holding devices hereinafter described. In Fig. 12, an annular coiled spring 62, a section of which is shown in Fig. 13, is confined in a groove in the rear of the gasket 63 for holding the gasket yieldably against the ball member. In Fig. 14, the rear surface of the gasket 64 is engaged by an annular plate spring 65, the upper portion of the plate or ring 65 being split at intervals, as at 66, to provide a plurality of s ring fingers 67 which hold the gasket 64 yiel ably against the 'ball. A section of the spring 65 is shown in perspective in Fig. 15.

In Fig. 16, the annular gasket comprlses a diagonally inwardly extending flange 68, which terminates in a reverselybent flange 69 which extends into the socket member,- but outwardly toward the walls ofthe socket, so that the inner flat face 70 of flange 69 is substantially tangent to the spherical surface 8 of the ball. This form of gasket provides substantially a line contact between the ball and gasket, and provides for considerable longitudinal adjustment of the ball within the socket without affecting the roper engage.

ment between the surfaces of t e ball and gasket member.

In the modification shown in Fi 17, the clamping. ring is omitted, but the soc et memher 4 is provided with an inturned flange 71 at its open end. which flange erforms the function of the flange 34: of the c amping ring 32 in holding the asket and reinforcing ring in place. The soc ket member 4 (or the equivalent of this portion of the form shown in Fi 1) is detachably threaded at 72 onto the en of the conduit member 1, which termi nates just beyond the lugs 10. Otherwise the parts are the same as in any of the modifications hereinabove described. In this form of oint, by removing the socket portion 4, in the same way that the clamping ring 32 is removed in the other modifications, nearly all of the operating parts can be exposed without disconnecting the different portions of the joint or removing the articulating means. This modified form of joint is somew a to clean, and, in some respects, is somewhat easier to assemble since the different parts of the joint are more accessible and more flexibly t easier connected until the housing or socket member 4 is secured in place.

I claim: 1. A flexible pipe joint, comprising a socket member and a member with an enlarged head 2. In a flexible pipe joint, a pair of interfitting hollow members, comprising a socket member having an openend into which loosely projects the enlarged head of the other member, the head having an annular series of lugs engaging the inner surface of the socket to hold the head centered therein, a substantially hemispherical outer surface extending from the lugs to the outer pipe connection, an annular gasket secured to the open end of the socket member and engaging the hemispherical surface on the head, and articulating means within the hollow members for connecting them with capacity for universal relative movement.

3. In a flexible pipe joint, a pair ofinterfitting hollow members, comprising a socket member having a substantially cylindrical recess, and a ball member having a substantially hemispherical head housed Within the recess, with the spherical surface facingtoward the open end of the socket, there being a series of lugs on the head slidably engaging the inner surface of the cylindrical recess to hold the ball centered in the socket without member and the inner end of the recess, articulating means connecting the ball and socket members comprising a transverse link in the ball, a transverse link in the socket and a bolt flexibly connecting the two links, a clamping ring secured to the end of the socket member, and an annular gasket secured at its outer ed e by the clamping ring to the socket mem er, the gasket projecting into the socket and engaging the spherical surface on the ball and being held against the ball by the fluid pressure within the pipe joint.

4. In a flexible pipe joint of the ball and socket type, the combination with a hollow means interiorly connecting the ball and socket members, of means for sealing the joint between the openend of the socket and the adjacent outwardly facing surface of the ball comprising a clamping ring detachably engaging the open end of the socket member, and an annular gasket having an outer flange which is clamped to the socket by the clamping rin and an inner flange gnlglaging the outwardly facing surface of the 5. In a' flexible pipe joint of the ball and socket type, the combination with a hollow socket member having an open end, a hollow member projecting within the open end of the socket, and having a hollow ball portion housed within the socket, and articulating means interiorly connecting the ball and socket members, of means for sealing the joint between the open end of the socket and the adjacent outwardly facing surface of the ball comprising a clamping ring detachably engaging the open end of the socketmemher, and an annular gasket having an inner flange which projects into the socket in spaced relation to the inner wall of the socket and engages the outwardly facing surface of the ball.

6. In a flexible pipe joint of the ball and socket type the combination with a hollow socket member having an open end, a hollow member pro' the socket and having a hollow ball portion housed within the socket, and articulatin means interiorly connecting the ball an socket members, of means for sealing the joint between the open end of the socket and the adjacent outwardly facing surface of the all comprising a clam ing ring detachably d of the socket memr, an annulargasket having an inwardly and an voutwardly projecting flange, and a metallic ring having inner and outer flanges sup orting the corresponding flanges of the E outer flanges of the gasket and supporting ring being secured to the socket member by the clamping ring. w.

7. In a flexible pi joint of the ball and socket type, the com ination. with a hollow an open end, a hollow socket member having ball member housed within the open end of the socket, and articulating means connecting the ball and. socket members, of means for sealin the joint between the outer face of the bafl and the open end of the socket comprising a clamping ring detachably engaging the 0 en on of the socket member, an

ing ball-en aging flange and an outwardly projectin ange, and a metallic rin having inner an outer flan es supporting t e corres onding flanges o the" gasket, the outer anges of the gasket and supporting ring bemg secured to the socket. member by the ecting within the'open end of' gas et, the

et having an inwardly projecta ball member housed within the open end of I the socket, and articulating meansconnectsocket members, of means 'ing the ball and for sealing the joint between the outer face of the ball and the open-end of the socket comprising a clamping ring detachably 'engaging the open end of the socket member,

an annular gasket having an inwardly proaging flange and an outwardange, and a metallic ring havj ecting' ball-en ly pro ecting mg inner and outer flan su porting the corresponding flanges of t e gas et, the outer flanges of-the asket and su porting ring being secured t?) the socket member by the clamping ring and a spring surrounding the inner flange of the gasket and holding same yieldably in engagement with the ball,

9. In a flexible pipe joint of the ball and socket type, the combination with a hollow socket member having an open end, a hollow ballmember housed within the openend of the socket, and articulating means connecting the ball and socket members, of means for sealin the ba 1 and the open end of the socket comprising a clamping ring detachably engaging the open end of the socket member, a reinforcing ring sup orted by the clamping ring and having a ange extending diagonally into the socket, and a gasket having an outer flange clamped to the socket,an intermediate the joint between the outer face of.

portion extending toward the ball and supportedby the reinforcing ring, and. an inner ange extending into the socket with one face substantially tangent to the spherical surface of-the ball. l0. Ina flexible pi e joint, a. pair of hollow interfitting mem rs one of which is a socket member having an 0 en end, the other member projecting into t e open end and expanded continuously to form a hemispherical head housed within the socket, the outer hemispherical surface of the head fac-I ing the open end of the socket from within. the socket, an annular gasket secured to the; I open end of the socket and projectin into the socket into enga ement with the eniis herical surface, an articulating means .in- 1 d eipendent of the hemispherical surface conpermit unlversal but necting the members movement of the head in the socket vent its withdrawal therefrom.

11. In a flexible pipe joint, a pair of hollow interfittting members one of which is asocket member having an open end, the other mem-. ber rojecting into the open end and ex-.

an ed continuously to form a hemispherical ead housed within the socket the router I i V d facing thehemispherical surfacefof the, has

ber rojecting into the open end and expan ed continuously to form a hemispherical head housed within the socket, the outer hemispherical surface of the head facing the openend of the socket from within the socket, an annular gasket secured to the open end of the socket and projecting into the socket into engagement with the hemispherical surface and articulating means interiorly connecting the members comprising a transverse link within the socket, a transverse link withinthe head, and a longitudinal bolt flexibly connecting the transverse members.

13. In a flexible pipe joint, a ir of hollow interfitting members one of which is a socket member having an open end, the other mem- 'ber (projecting into'the open end and expan ed continuously to form a hemispherical head housed within the socket, the outer hemispherical surface of the head facing the open end of the socket from within the socket,

an annular gasket secured to the open end of the socket and projecting into the socket into engagement with the hemispherical surface, and articulating means interiorly connecting the members comprising a transverse link within the socket, a transverse link within the head, and a longitudinal bolt swiveled in one transverse link and pivotally engaged with the other link.

14. In a flexible pipe joint, a ir of hollow interfitting members one of which is a socket it member having an open end, the other member dprojecting' into the open end and expan ed continuousl to form a hemispherical ead housed within the socket, the outer hemispherical surface of the head facing the open end of the socket from within the socket, an annular gasket secured to the open end of the socket and projecting into the socket into engagement with the hemispherical surface, and articulating means interiorly connecting the members comprising a transverse link within the socket, a transverse link within the head, and a longitudinal bolt centering swiveled in one transverse link and having a looped end pivotally engaged with the other transverse link.

15.' In a flexible pipe joint, a pair of hollow interfitting members one of which is a socket member having an open end, the other member rojecting into the open end and expan ed continuously to form a hemispherical ead housed within the socket, the outer hemispherical surface of the head facing the open end of the socket from within the socket, an annular gasket secured to the open end of the socket and projecting into the socket into engagement with the hemispherical surface, a spring mounted within the socket and tending to force the head out of the socket and against the gasket, and articulating means interiorly connecting the members to hold the head within the socket but permit universal movement of the head.

16. In a flexible pipe joint, a pair of hollow interfitting members one of which is a socket member having-an open end, the other member rojecting into the open end and expan ed continuously to form a hemispherical ead housed within .the socket, the outer hemispherical surface of the head facing the open end of the socket from within the socket, an annular gasket secured to the open end of the socket and projecting into the socket into engagement with the hemispherical surface, means independent of' the gasket for the head within the socket and articulating means independent of the emispherical surface connecting the members to permit universal movement of the head in the socket but prevent its withdrawal therefrom. 1

17. In a flexible pipe joint of the ball and socket type the com ination with a hollow socket member having an open end, a hollow ball member projecting into the socket and terminating in a ball member housed entirely within the socket, and articulating means confor sealing the joint between the ball and socket comprising an annular gaskethaving an outer portion secured to the socket adjacent its open end, and an inner portion of less diameter than the maximum diameter of the ball, pro'ecting into the socket to engage the outer emispherical surface of the ball which faces the open end of the socket from within the socket.

, f; nnwaan N. ROTH.

necting the ball and socket members, of means i 

